Everton 0-1 Liverpool
by James Nalton
at Goodison Park

Jurgen Klopp praised the impact of Daniel Sturridge following Liverpool’s last gasp derby victory against Everton on Monday.

The striker, returning from a calf injury, came into the game with just 10 minutes to go and played a big part in his side’s late winner, scored by Sadio Mane.

“When you have Daniel on the bench you are always thinking about when is the right time to bring him on,” said Klopp. “It’s an unusual situation but at the same time a good option when you can bring on his fresh legs when the game is so tight. He helped us a lot tonight in a difficult game.”

Sturridge traversed across the edge of the penalty area before slightly mis-hitting a shot which wrongfooted Everton keeper Joel Robles.

The attempt dribbled past the Spaniard, hit the post and fell to Mane who was quickest to react and sent the away fans into raptures.

“They [Everton] are halfway tired when Danny comes in after 70 minutes,” added Klopp. “It was a real intense game and so then to bring in real fresh legs then, that’s a good thing to do.”

Everton, meanwhile, will be licking their wounds. They played a part in what was an intense derby match with plenty of fight but lacked quality — from themselves in particular.

“It was a cruel way to lose,” said Toffees manager Ronald Koeman. “The fans and the players did not deserve a defeat tonight but we have to accept it.

“I can’t complain about the efforts of my players, maybe we just needed to be more lucky.”

Their visitors from across Stanley Park were able to take control of the game in the second half, while Everton were fortunate to keep all 11 men on the pitch when Ross Barkley went in with studs above the ankle on Jordan Henderson.

The Dutchman’s side only had one shot on target which came from an Ashley Williams header and was easily saved by Simon Mignolet.

Their midfield struggled to control the game and Barkley’s dangerous tackle summed up their frustration.

But Koeman believes Dejan Lovren should have received a second yellow for his reaction to the challenge.

“Maybe it’s a red card for Barkley,” he added. “But several players react.”

Seamus “Coleman, but also Lovren, and the referee gave a yellow to Coleman and none to Lovren. It’s not a fair decision.”